Tobacco Retail Dealer License

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers a license for tobacco retail dealers. You need this license to sell cigarettes or tobacco products to people.

Not applicable for pharmacies and businesses that contain pharmacies: You cannot apply if your business is or has a pharmacy. NYC law does not allow pharmacies to get this license.

Important: Community district caps

Community district caps for these licenses started on February 24, 2018. For a list of the current caps, you can visit NYC Open Data at opendata.cityofnewyork.us and search "tobacco retail dealer."

You can apply only if:

• Licenses are available in your community district.
• A business with a license is sold, someone gets 10 percent or more of the shares or there is a change in partnership: You may apply for a new license at the same place if there is a current, active license in "good standing" at the address. You must apply within 30 days of the sale or change.*
• Your business is in certain airports or parks that are not subject to the caps.*
• You have an active license at your newsstand and want to hold both licenses under the same business name.*
• You hold a newsstand license that was transferred after the death or disability of the prior holder and want to hold the location's license in your name: The existing license must be in good standing.*

*Note: If you meet one of these exceptions, you must submit the Tobacco Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification and supporting documents. See the form for more information.

You can visit nyc.gov/dcwp for updates.

• You need a business certificate: This is based on your business's legal structure. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) may ask for this document later:

  • If you are a sole proprietor using a name other than your own: You must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
  • If you are part of a partnership: You need a Partnership Certificate. You may also need an Assumed Name Certificate.
  • If you are part of a Corporation, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): You must register with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your application status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

• You need to fill out the Basic License Application Form (PDF).

• You must provide your sales tax identification details:

  • You need to provide your Sales Tax Identification Number or Application Confirmation Number.

  • You can visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov to apply for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax. You can check Learn more for more details.

• Registration of retail dealers: You must submit a copy of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Registration of Retail Dealers and Vending Machines for sales of cigarettes and tobacco products:

  • To apply, you must visit www.licensecenter.ny.gov or call 518-457-5735.
    Learn more about Cigarette and Tobacco Product Sales as a Retail Dealer Registration.

• You must provide proof of business address: You must submit a copy of one of the following documents in the name of either the business or an individual listed on the license application:

  • Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (for example, telephone, gas, electric, cable or water)
  • Current lease or deed
  • Current rent or mortgage bill
  • Current (active) license or permit issued by New York State or another New York City government agency that shows your business address

• You must provide proof of home address: Each individual listed on the license application must provide a copy of one of the following documents in the individual's name:

  • Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (for example, telephone, gas, electric, cable or water)
  • Correspondence from any government agency
  • Current lease or deed
  • Current rent or mortgage bill
  • Driver's license
  • Municipal ID card

• For an individual who lives at another person's address: You must provide the following:

  • One proof of home address (see above) with the leaseholder's or homeowner's name
  • A letter signed by the homeowner or leaseholder stating that the individual lives at the address

• If someone else will prepare and submit the application: You need to fill out
  the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation form. The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms.

• You need to pay the license fee: You can pay the license fee based on the following application dates:

  • From January 1 to June 30 in an odd year: $200 (expiring December 31 of even years)

  • From July 1 to December 31 in an odd year: $150 (expiring December 31 of even years)

  • From January 1 to June 30 in an even year: $200 (expiring December 31 of odd years)

  • From July 1 to December 31 in an even year: $150 (expiring December 31 of odd years)

  • You can pay by:

    • Check or money order payable to DCWP
    • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
    • You will be charged a nonrefundable 2 percent convenience fee

Two weeks after the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gets all your papers, they will send a letter. The letter will have the following details:

• If your application is approved: DCWP will send you a license.
• If your application is denied: DCWP will provide you the reason.

• Inform DCWP of changes:

  • If any information you gave in your approved application changes, you must inform the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).

  • You can call 311 or visit the DCWP Licensing Center. It is good to call 311 to check if you need to visit a center.

  • You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Licensing Center
  Review the inspection checklist: You must review the Inspection Checklist: Tobacco Retail Dealers.

• Follow all laws and rules: You must follow all laws and rules of New York City, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, which can be found on the Public Access Portal.

• Review the requirements: You must review and gather all materials before selecting Apply Online. You will be redirected to a new web page where you will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application.

• Submit online: You must print the confirmation page after submitting. It will list the additional steps and materials required to complete the application. You must submit these within five business days if not uploaded online.

• Complete the required forms: You must complete and gather all necessary documents.

• Schedule an appointment: You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• To renew your application: Select Renew Online. DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires:
  • To keep operating, you must submit your renewal application at least 15 days before your license expires.

• To renew your application: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires:

• To keep operating, you must submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.

• You need an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• To renew your application: DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions before your license expires:

  • To keep operating, you must submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.

  • You can mail these materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.
    
    NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
    Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov